Bentley Bentayga 2020 Review

The luxury SUV market has always been a battleground for brand strength and attention to detail. For high-net-worth individuals seeking dual satisfaction of "luxury" and "practicality," a vehicle that can handle both business scenarios and family outings is often more appealing than pure performance parameters. As an upgraded version of the Bentayga family, the 2020 Bentley Bentayga V8 First Edition enhances exclusivity and detailed configurations based on the standard version. Our core purpose for this test drive is to verify whether its "First Edition" identity can bring users a value-for-money experience and whether it possesses unique competitiveness among luxury SUVs of the same class.

Approaching the Bentayga V8 First Edition, you will first be attracted by its stable yet exquisite exterior. The overall body retains the classic outline of the Bentayga family, with sleek and powerful lines. The 5125mm length paired with the 2995mm wheelbase not only ensures a grand visual impression but also lays the foundation for interior space. The front features Bentley's signature matrix grille, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides, giving it high recognition; the "B" emblem on the hood automatically rises when unlocking the car, instantly enhancing the sense of exclusivity. The waistline on the side of the body extends from the fender to the rear, complemented by 21-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, further amplifying the luxurious SUV aura. At the rear, the iconic dual twin-round exhaust layout is clearly visible, and the taillight cluster adopts a wrap-around design, presenting a striking effect when lit at night. Compared to the standard version, the First Edition adds exclusive badges on the door panels, fenders, and other areas, showcasing its unique identity in its details.

Entering the interior, the luxurious feel of the First Edition is even more intuitive than its exterior. The interior is mainly covered with large areas of genuine leather; all touchpoints use delicate Nappa leather, paired with matte walnut wood trim, creating a strong premium ambiance. The center console layout is simple and orderly, with a 10.9-inch touchscreen embedded, offering high resolution and excellent operation smoothness. It supports CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The multifunctional steering wheel is wrapped in leather, offering a solid and comfortable feel. Buttons on the left control driving assistance functions, while those on the right manage multimedia and phone functions, making it clear and easy to use. In terms of seating, the First Edition is equipped with 16-way power-adjustable front seats that support heating, ventilation, and massage functions, ensuring comfort even during long drives; the rear seats also support multi-directional adjustments and are equipped with an independent air conditioning control area and a 220V power outlet, allowing passengers to charge their devices or adjust the temperature anytime. It's worth mentioning that the stitching of the seats and the embroidery on the headrests feature exclusive designs, further enhancing the customized experience.

In terms of space performance, the Bentayga V8 First Edition fully meets the positioning of a luxury SUV. After adjusting the front driver's seat to a suitable position, the headroom is about a fist and two fingers, while rear passengers sitting normally enjoy legroom of at least two fists and headroom of about a fist, ensuring no feeling of confinement even for passengers 185cm tall. In terms of storage capacity, the front central armrest box is relatively large, accommodating two bottles of mineral water and some scattered items. The storage compartments in the door panels are also deep enough to hold cups and file folders. The trunk provides a regular volume of 392L, which can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats, perfectly fulfilling the storage needs for short family trips.

The powertrain of the Bentayga V8 First Edition is equipped with a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 engine, delivering a maximum power of 550PS and a peak torque of 770N·m. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. During actual driving, the vehicle's throttle response is very quick. The moment you press the accelerator pedal, power is directly transmitted to the wheels without any noticeable lag. In standard driving mode, the acceleration performance of the vehicle is already strong enough, achieving 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds. Even on highways, you can enjoy ample power reserve by pressing the accelerator deeply. In sport mode, the shifting logic of the transmission becomes more aggressive, maintaining engine speed above 3000 rpm. At this point, the vehicle's explosive power is stronger, and the push-back sensation is more obvious.

In terms of handling, the Bentayga V8 First Edition adopts a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension structure, paired with an air suspension system. During daily driving, the suspension filters out most of the bumps on the road. Even when going over speed bumps or uneven roads, passengers inside the car will not feel any significant jolts. Switching to sport mode automatically stiffens the suspension, effectively reducing body roll and greatly improving stability during cornering. The steering wheel has a relatively heavy feel, precise pointing, and no play, making it feel very confident to drive. The braking system also performs excellently; the brake pedal has a moderate travel, and braking force is delivered linearly. In emergency braking situations, the vehicle remains stable without veering off course.

As for fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 13.3L/100km. During our test drive, the fuel consumption in urban conditions was about 15L/100km, while on highways it could drop to around 11L/100km. For a luxury SUV weighing over 2.4 tons, this result is within an acceptable range. Regarding noise control, the Bentayga V8 First Edition performs very well. When driving at high speed, wind noise and tire noise are well suppressed, allowing passengers inside the vehicle to converse easily without being disturbed by external noise.

In summary, the core advantages of the 2020 Bentley Bentayga V8 First Edition lie in its "sense of exclusivity" and "attention to detail." Compared to the standard version, it adds customized elements in details such as exterior badges, interior stitching, and seat embroidery, providing users with a unique and exclusive luxury experience. At the same time, the vehicle's performance, space, and luxurious configuration are all at the top level in its class. Compared to peers such as the Mercedes GLS 63 AMG and BMW X7 M50i, the Bentayga V8 First Edition has a higher brand premium and a more intense sense of luxury, making it suitable for high-net-worth individuals who pursue the ultimate quality and exclusive experience.

Overall, the Bentayga V8 First Edition is an all-around luxury SUV that balances luxury, practicality, and performance. It can serve as a high-end vehicle for business occasions while also meeting the comfort needs of family trips. It is ideal for successful individuals who emphasize quality of life and strive for an exclusive experience. If you are looking for a luxury SUV that showcases status while also being practical for daily use, the Bentayga V8 First Edition is a great choice.